FOOTBALL SATURDAY ON 92.9 FM ESPN: NOON - UT hosts Furman

Tennessee vs. Furman — Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026

No. 20 Tennessee opens the Josh Heupel era’s sixth season at Neyland Stadium against FCS opponent Furman.

AIRTIME: NOON ON 92.9 FM ESPN - 2:30pm Kickoff on 92.9 FM & 680 AM

• Biggest storyline: QB Faizon Brandon. The true freshman won the starting job and becomes Tennessee’s first true freshman starting QB in a season opener since Brent Schaeffer in 2004. He’s also the only true freshman starting QB in the SEC this season.
• Brandon is a former five-star recruit, so this is a huge first look at the player Tennessee hopes can finally provide some long-term stability at quarterback.
• New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles takes over the Tennessee defense. Knowles brings a major résumé, including four top-15 total defenses nationally over the last six seasons.
• New-look secondary: Tennessee will be without starting safety Edrees Farooq, who suffered a season-ending knee injury. Penn State transfer Dejaun Lane is expected to take on a bigger role.
• Furman enters 1-0, having beaten Division II Anderson 20-3 in its opener last week.
• Furman QB Jake Garcia—who has previously played at Miami, Missouri, East Carolina and Michigan—completed 15-of-28 for 183 yards with an interception against Anderson. He also ran for 51 yards.
• Furman can run the football. The Paladins rushed for 268 yards in their opener, led by CJ Nettles (99 yards) and Ben Croasdale (67 yards, 2 TDs).
• Player to watch for Furman: DL Joshua Stoneking, the reigning Southern Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. He led the FCS in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (23) last season.
• Tennessee has dominated season openers under Heupel: 5-0 at Tennessee, winning those games by at least 30 points each time.
• The Vols have also won 18 straight non-SEC regular-season games, dating back to September 2021.
• Series history: Tennessee is 2-0 against Furman, winning 32-6 in 1941 and 52-7 in 1942.
• The real objective: Tennessee should win comfortably, but this game is primarily about seeing Brandon operate the offense, the new Knowles defense communicate, and the young secondary/pass rush develop before the schedule gets much tougher.
• Potential danger: Furman has already played a real game, while Tennessee is breaking in a freshman QB and new defensive system. Stoneking and Furman’s defensive front could provide an early test for Tennessee’s offensive line.